BC Ideas Exchange Success Stories
BC Ideas Exchange Success Stories highlight communities around B.C. and the innovative ways they approach economic development.
Contributors share:
- How they've addressed economic development challenges
- Innovative approaches
- Their experience and successes
- Best practices
- Lessons learned
We honour and value the incredible efforts of economic developers throughout the province. Their work is even more cherished given the significant pressures to the economy due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, we are focusing on the many stories of response, resiliency and recovery in B.C. communities in the coming months.
Learn from others’ experience! Explore success stories by topic or location using this map.
Our Most Recent Success Stories
Young entrepreneurs find opportunity in Castlegar
Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Kaleigh Herald seized the opportunity to shorten the commute for people in Castlegar looking to buy skate and snowboard products, to be her own boss and to build up her new community, with the support of Futurpreneur Canada and Community Futures.
I Am Resilient, I Am Langford: Pandemic Economic Recovery, the Langford Way
As one of Canada's fastest-growing cities, Langford has given top priority to business development and innovation. Through strong partnerships between the business community and a progressive mayor and council, a culture focused on finding solutions rather than putting up red tape is engraved in Langford’s DNA.
#ExploreNextDoor – Promote your community to your neighbours
Vancouver Island is a popular tourist destination with stunning mountains, lakes, rivers, and oceanfront. Busy lives and competing priorities often mean residents can’t experience everything their neighbouring communities have to offer. During COVID-19, the #ExploreNextDoor campaign encouraged people living in the Comox Valley, Campbell River and surrounding district to learn more about their region and support their neighbouring communities in the process.
Browse Success Stories by Topic
Communities in B.C. are growing their skills and knowledge by using tools and resources to reach their goals. This section shares stories and resources to help communities create plans and develop strategies, measure results, collaborate, access funding and more.
Social Innovation Lab Combines Student and Community Resources to Encourage Economic Development - Prince Rupert | Feb 6, 2020
Outreach Supports Small Businesses in Wake of Natural Disaster - Williams Lake | Jan 9, 2020
How the Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw are Determining their Economic Future – Tsulquate | Aug 29, 2018
Leveraging Co-operation and Business Investment to Power Economic Development – Cranbrook & Kimberley | Aug 10, 2018
Multi-Channel Ad Campaign Uses Data Insights to Attract New Residents and Businesses – Lower Columbia Region | Dec 22, 2017
Grassroots Economic Development Benefits Island Municipality – Bowen Island | Jan 10, 2017
Building on a Community's Assets to Create an Economic Development Strategy – Cormorant Island | Nov 23, 2016
Explore all building economic development capacity stories with descriptions.
Community economic development is a process of improving quality of life for the whole community. This section shares stories of community projects based on the needs of all people that are building economies and creating long-term jobs.
B.C. Brewers and Distillers Pivot Production to Support COVID-19 Response - Throughout B.C. | May 28, 2020
Growing Economic Opportunity Through Native Plant Restoration – Moberly Lake | Nov 22, 2018
Protecting Haida Values through Sustainable Forestry – Haida Gwaii | May 17, 2018
Bringing a Local Harvest to an International Market – Klemtu | May 3, 2018
Regional Partnership Creates Value-Added Food Products and Local Jobs – Creston Valley | Dec 29, 2017
Transforming a Mining Town into a Solar Energy Destination – Kimberley | Dec 8, 2017
Community Collaboration Brings Back Health Care – Scotch Creek | Feb 3, 2017
Creating Jobs and New Revenue Streams with a Community Forest License – Barriere | Feb 3, 2017
Protecting an Old-Growth Ecoforest through Community Organization – Vancouver Island | Feb 2, 2017
Explore all community economic development initiatives stories with descriptions.
Land use planning can improve the economy of a community and create a clear path forward for developing community amenities. Some examples of this are building recreation centres or transportation networks. This section shares stories of land development work around B.C. and gives you tools to use in your community.
From Raspberries to Revenue: Abbotsford International Airport - Abbotsford | Dec 12, 2019
A High-Tech Factory Brings Back Jobs to a Community on the Site of a Former Mill - Canal Flats | Aug 15, 2019
Cannabis Leads a Town’s Economic Revitalization – Smiths Falls, ON | Jan 17, 2019
Attracting Development of Brownfield Sites through a Multi-Faceted Strategy – Langley City | July 26, 2018
Targeted Revitalization through Economic Investment Zones – Penticton | June 28, 2018
Creating Opportunity for Small Business through Zoning and Permitting – Port Moody | June 1, 2018
Landowners and Volunteers Work Together to Manage Community Trail Network – Cumberland | Feb 9, 2018
Government-to-Government Partnerships Create Industrial Development, Tax Revenue, and Jobs – Terrace | Dec 15, 2017
Students' Study of Local Airport Leads to New Land Development Potential – Township of Langley | Dec 8, 2017
Community-Led Park Development Project Creates Jobs and Attracts Visitors to Elk Falls – Campbell River | Oct 12, 2016
Explore all developing lands and community amenities stories with descriptions.
Indigenous organizations and communities are finding unique partnerships around B.C. to grow their economies. Creativity and collaboration are key to their success. This section shares stories and resources to support First Nations and Indigenous communities reach their economic development goals.
Indigenous Partnerships and Local Investors Key to Helping Grow a New Coastal Industry - Port Alberni | June 29, 2020
Growing Economic Opportunity Through Native Plant Restoration – Moberly Lake | Nov 22, 2018
How the Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw are Determining their Economic Future – Tsulquate | Aug 29, 2018
Boosting Businesses through the Aboriginal Canadian Entrepreneurship Program – Throughout B.C. | June 15, 2018
Protecting Haida Values through Sustainable Forestry – Haida Gwaii | May 17, 2018
Bringing a Local Harvest to an International Market – Klemtu | May 3, 2018
Start-up Program Helps Entrepreneurs Take their Ideas to the Next Level – Westbank First Nation | April 25, 2018
Government-to-Government Partnerships Create Industrial Development, Tax Revenue, and Jobs – Terrace | Dec 15, 2017
Building on a Community's Assets to Create an Economic Development Strategy – Cormorant Island | Nov 23, 2016
Explore all Indigenous economic development stories with descriptions.
Local economic development and promotion go hand in hand. Investment attraction, tourism marketing, and resident attraction are important for a successful economy. In this section you can learn how to promote your community from others who’ve had success.
#ExploreNextDoor – Promote your community to your neighbours - Comox Valley and Campbell River | Jan 15, 2021
Big Data Helps Advance Regional Tourism Strategy – Thompson Okanagan | Nov 7, 2019
Destination Marketing Organization Uses Targeted Videos to Attract Tourists – Gold Country | Mar 22, 2019
Love Northern BC Celebrates Local Entrepreneurs – Northern BC | Feb 13, 2019
Selling a Small-Town Lifestyle to Attract Entrepreneurs and Investment – Powell River | Nov 30, 2018
Attracting Young Urban Creatives to Small Town B.C. – Kaslo | Oct 18, 2018
“Island Good” Makes It Easy for Islanders to Shop Local – Vancouver Island | Oct 5, 2018
Attracting Key Forestry Investors with Targeted Promotional Materials – District of Stewart | Dec 8, 2017
Business Attraction Video Highlights Local Value Proposition and Draws Investors – Township of Langley | Dec 8, 2016
Cross-Sector Partnership Builds a New Info Centre that Attracts Visitors and Investors Alike – Revelstoke | Nov 25, 2016
Social Media Buzz Leads to Greater Community Awareness and Engagement – Kamloops | Oct 12, 2016
Explore all promoting your community stories with descriptions.
A strong local economy needs a dynamic and growing business sector. This section shares stories and resources to support businesses and entrepreneurs in your community.
Young entrepreneurs find opportunity in Castlegar - Castlegar | July 14, 2021
I Am Resilient, I Am Langford: Pandemic Economic Recovery, the Langford Way - Langford | February 2, 2021
Support PG – Community Collaboration in Action - Prince George | December 14, 2020
Kaslo: The little town that did — B.C.’s rural digital legend - Kaslo | December 10, 2020
Sidney’s Welcome Back to Business COVID-19 recovery campaign - Sidney | December 7, 2020
Strong relationships mean quick action for Quesnel’s business support team - Quesnel | September 17, 2020
Rural Islands Join Forces to 'Keep the Island Vibe Alive' - B.C. West Coast | August 27, 2020
Support Local BC Harnesses the Power of Collaboration to Keep Businesses Afloat During Pandemic - Throughout B.C. | July 23, 2020
Proactive Approach Leads to Multiple Funding Streams for New Port Alberni Food Hub - Port Alberni | July 16, 2020
Indigenous Partnerships and Local Investors Key to Helping Grow a New Coastal Industry - Port Alberni | June 29, 2020
Local Trends Lend Naturally to Clustered Innovation Approach - Prince George | Oct 17, 2019
How a Chamber of Commerce Pivoted Toward Economic Development – Ucluelet | Nov 2, 2018
Boosting Businesses through the Aboriginal Canadian Entrepreneurship Program – Throughout B.C. | June 15, 2018
Start-up Program Helps Entrepreneurs Take their Ideas to the Next Level – Westbank First Nation | Apr 25, 2018
Agri-Tourism Program Gives Farmers Access to New Revenue Streams – Central Okanagan | Aug 10, 2017
Business Walks Open Dialogue Between Local Stakeholders – Abbotsford | Sept 29, 2016
Venture Kamloops Advisor Program Prepares Entrepreneurs with a Mini "Dragon's Den" – Kamloops | Sept 29, 2016
Explore all supporting business and entrepreneurship stories with descriptions.
The tech sector is growing in B.C. and innovative uses of technology are helping to breathe new life into many industries. This section shares stories and resources to support the growth of technology and innovation in your community.
Coquitlam Repurposes Technology Roadmap to Focus on Pandemic Resilience - Coquitlam | June 11, 2020
Funding Fuels Growth for Innovation and Technology - Vancouver Island | Sept 17, 2019
Innovation Centre Supporting Home Grown Tech – Salmon Arm | May 23, 2019
Building a Tech Strategy with a Committed Local Task Force – Revelstoke | Dec 12, 2018
A Winning Municipal Tech Strategy: From Broadband to International Recognition as a Smart Community – Nelson | Apr 6, 2018
Diversifying the Local Economy Starting with a Municipally-Owned Broadband Network – Campbell River | Mar 1, 2018
Metal Tech Alley: How an Industry Town in Rural B.C. Rebuilt its Economy – Trail | Dec 15, 2017
Explore all technology and innovation stories with descriptions.
Communities around B.C. are trying different ways to help businesses meet their workforce needs. In this section, see how communities are supporting workers by creating partnerships, supporting skills development, building immigration programs, increasing job access, and more.
Planning for the Workforce of Tomorrow through Collaboration and Strategic Partnerships – Surrey | Apr 18, 2019
Overcoming Disabilities and Mental Health Challenges to Attain Satisfying Employment – Victoria | Dec 19, 2018
How Go-Karts Improve Education Outcomes and Build Community – Tumbler Ridge | Sept 25, 2018
Workforce Development Partnership Reaching New Heights – Kelowna | July 12, 2018
Building a Competitive Local Film Industry through Workforce Training – North Central Vancouver Island | Mar 26, 2018
Growing the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs in Rural B.C. – Nechako Lakes | Jan 26, 2018
The Whistler Experience Optimizes Training for World-Class Customer Service – Whistler | Jan 5, 2017
Investing in Personalized Health Professional Attraction Pays Off – Quesnel | Dec 8, 2016
Attracting Digital Talent From Across Canada with the "Make It Here" Campaign – Kelowna | Sept 29, 2016
Explore all workforce development stories with descriptions.
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